Haw. Rev. Stat. § 515 § 515-13
Remedies.
Operative Text
(a) If the commission determines that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory practice, the commission shall state its findings of fact and conclusions of law and shall issue an order requiring the respondent to cease and desist from the discriminatory practice and to take such affirmative actions as in the judgment of the commission will carry out the purposes of this chapter. A copy of the order shall be delivered to the respondent, the complainant, the attorney general, and to such other public officers and persons as the commission deems proper. (b) Affirmative action ordered under this section may include, but is not limited to: (1) Sale, exchange, lease, rental, assignment, or sublease of real property to an individual; (2) Extension to all individuals of the full and equal enjoyment of the advantages, facilities, privileges, and services of the respondent; (3) Reporting as to the manner of compliance; (4) Posting notices in conspicuous places in the respondent's place of business in form prescribed by the commission and inclusion of such notices in advertising material; (5) Cancellation, rescission, or revocation of a contract, deed, lease, or other instrument transferring real property, which is the subject of a complaint of a discriminatory practice, to a person who had actual knowledge or record notice, prior to the transfer or the execution of the legally binding obligation to make the transfer, that a determination of reasonable cause had been made with respect to the discriminatory practice; (6) Payment to an injured party of profits obtained by the respondent through a violation of section 515-7, subject to the principles of equity; (7) Payment to the complainant of damages for an injury caused by the discriminatory practice and costs, including a reasonable attorney's fee. Unless greater damages are proven, damages may be assessed at $500 for each violation. (c) In the case of a respondent who is found by the commission to have engaged in a discriminatory practice in the course of performing under a contract or subcontract with the State or a county, or agency thereof, if the discriminatory practice was authorized, requested, commanded, performed, or knowingly or recklessly tolerated by the board of directors of the respondent or by an officer or executive agent acting within the scope of the officer's or agent's employment, the commission shall so certify to the contracting agency. Unless the commission's finding of a discriminatory practice is reversed in the course of judicial review, the finding of discrimination is binding on the contracting agency. (d) Thirty days after an order is issued under this section, unless an appeal by the respondent is pending, the commission may publish or cause to be published the name of a person who has been determined to be engaged in a discriminatory practice. [L 1967, c 193, §13; HRS §515-13; am L 1972, c 107, §3(b); am L 1982, c 204, §8; gen ch 1985; am L 1989, c 386, §14]
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 515-13 establishes the remedies available when the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission finds that a respondent has engaged in housing discrimination. Upon such a finding, the commission must issue a cease-and-desist order and can require a wide range of corrective actions, including selling or renting property to the aggrieved individual, paying damages to the complainant, and canceling discriminatory contracts. Damages may be set at $500 per violation unless the injured party proves a greater amount, and the commission may also publish the name of a violator if no appeal is pending within 30 days of the order.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 515-13, property owners and managers found to have engaged in discriminatory housing practices face legally binding orders from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission that can require them to complete a previously denied transaction, post compliance notices, pay the complainant's damages and attorney's fees, and forfeit profits gained through the violation. Operators who hold government contracts face the additional consequence of the commission certifying the discrimination finding to the contracting agency, which is then bound by that finding. Compliant operators generally maintain non-discriminatory policies, train staff consistently, and keep records that demonstrate equal treatment across all applicants and tenants.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 515-13 gives the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission broad authority to order meaningful relief on behalf of individuals who have experienced housing discrimination, including requiring that a rental or sale be completed, awarding damages of at least $500 per violation, and covering reasonable attorney's fees. Tenants or applicants who believe they have been subjected to a discriminatory practice may file a complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, which investigates and, if it finds reasonable cause, can pursue these remedies on the complainant's behalf. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office can help individuals understand the complaint process and the range of remedies available under § 515-13.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 23, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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